Non-perturbative 2D spatial measurements of electric fields within a plasma sheath
Authors
Mykhailo Vorobiov
Rob Behary
Will Torg
Nicolas DeStefano
Saskia Mordijck
Edward Thomas
Saikat Chakraborty Thakur
Charles T. Fancher
Neel Malvania
Seth Aubin
Eugeniy E. Mikhailov
Irina Novikova
Abstract
We introduce an all-optical quantum-enhanced diagnostic for electric fields in low-temperature plasmas. Trace amounts of rubidium vapor, added to argon plasma, allow us to produce spectrally narrow electric field-sensitive optical resonances via quantum optical effect of Rydberg electromagnetically induced transparency, and to non-invasively measure electric field in plasma with sensitivity exceeding 1 V/cm. By collecting fluorescence from the illuminated region of interest, we reconstruct a 2D spatial profile of the electric field magnitude with $30~μ$m resolution. As a proof-of-principle demonstration, we measured the changes in electric field within the plasma sheath surrounding a biased Langmuir probe tip. This method holds significant potential for studying sheath structures in low-temperature plasmas.
